Bobotie
Transport your taste buds to the heart of South Africa with this authentic Bobotie recipe—a fragrant, savory-sweet baked dish that’s perfect for family dinners or special gatherings. This traditional Cape Malay dish combines tender spiced ground beef or lamb with aromatic curry powder, turmeric, and cinnamon, accented by the sweetness of raisins and diced apple. A creamy, golden egg custard topping adds an elegant finish, while bay leaves infuse a subtle depth of flavor. With a comforting mix of textures and bold flavors, Bobotie is best served with fluffy yellow rice, chutney, and fresh seasonal vegetables for an unforgettable meal. Ready in just over an hour, this easy-to-make recipe is a delicious way to explore South African cuisine from your own kitchen.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 500 grams ground beef or lamb
- 2 slices white bread
- 250 milliliters milk
- 1.5 tablespoons curry powder
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 0.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons chutney
- 60 grams raisins
- 50 grams slivered almonds (optional)
- 1 small apple, finely diced
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 bay leaves
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
Add the ground beef or lamb to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned. Drain any excess fat.
Soak the slices of bread in half of the milk (125 ml) until soft. Squeeze out the excess milk, then crumble the bread into the skillet with the meat mixture.
Stir in the curry powder, turmeric, ground cinnamon, chutney, raisins, almonds (if using), diced apple, salt, and black pepper. Mix well and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
Grease a baking dish (approximately 2 liters in capacity) with a bit of olive oil or spray. Transfer the meat mixture into the baking dish and smooth it out evenly.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and the remaining milk (125 ml) until smooth. Season with a tiny pinch of salt.
Carefully pour the egg mixture over the meat mixture in the baking dish to create a custard layer. Gently press the bay leaves into the top.
Bake in the preheated oven for 40–50 minutes, or until the top is set and golden brown.
Remove from the oven and allow the Bobotie to rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Serve warm with yellow rice, chutney, and a side of vegetables.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2623 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 170.8 g | 219% | |
| Saturated Fat | 53.2 g | 266% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 795 mg | 265% | |
| Sodium | 6581 mg | 286% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 156.2 g | 57% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 17.3 g | 62% | |
| Total Sugars | 90.2 g | ||
| Protein | 126.8 g | 254% | |
| Vitamin D | 4.9 mcg | 24% | |
| Calcium | 842 mg | 65% | |
| Iron | 28.7 mg | 159% | |
| Potassium | 3239 mg | 69% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
